I'm a 43 old year female diagnosed with Epstein Barr at age 25 .. diagnosed with chronic fatigue at age 23 .. diagnosed with fibro at 39 . . . I haven't been able to work for a year . . and I've run into docs who feel it doesn't exist, I've tired "cures" .. I'm in debt, in pain, mentally, physically and emotionally. I've been on Zoloft for "depression" for over a year and I'm still hurting in all ways. Any suggestion from someone who is suffering and understands me. Txs.

I was very sorry to read about your situation. There are still plenty of doctors out there that don't think Fibromyalgia (FMS) exists. It is recognised by the National Arthitis Foundation and the Center for Disease Control among others.

Have you seen a rheumotologist? They are best qualified to treat FMS. To find a fibro-friendly rheumy in your area, go to the National Fibromyalgia Association website and ask them for a referral. You can also google fibromyaglia and the name of your metro area and see what pops up. You might find a local support group that would be a good local resource.

Is Zoloft all that you are taking for FMS? You should be taking something for sleep as FMS disrupts the deep sleep cycle leading to unrefreshed sleep and more pain. Only certain classes of prescription medication work for FMS. Many of us take Cymbalta which is used to treat both pain and depression caused by FMS. There are other options such as Lyrica or Savilla (new to market).

Most members of this board have had at least one bad experience with a medical professional. You have to be your own best advocate when dealing with FMS and the medical community. I have found that education is the best defense.

I hope that some of my comments are useful to you. Take care and keep in touch.

Thank you Fantod for your response I appreciate it very much .. your suggestions are very helpful. I've tried Cymbalta and many other meds and herbs I seem to have awful side effects. I've tried acupunture, yoga and physical therapy, exercising and more . . these in combo seemed to help . . but it seems that the littlest stress put on me, I go right back to square one. I feel like I'm from Mars :(

Get the doctor to get you off of Zoloft and try Cymbalta or Savella.
"The approval of Cymbalta is important because it provides physicians and patients ... a new treatment option shown to help reduce pain and improve functioning in this difficult-to-treat disorder,"
"The FDA approval of Cymbalta for the management of fibromyalgia is another important step in the efforts to ensure that people with fibromyalgia will have the availability of effective medications to help reduce the chronic, widespread pain of this life-altering disorder.
"medical experts believe [taking Cymbalta] increases the activity of two naturally occurring substances called serotonin and norepinephrine. These substances aid communication in many areas of the brain and spinal cord ... [and research] suggests that these substances are part of the body's natural pain-suppressing system."
Reestablishing that pain suppression system is Cymbalta's goal, said Dr. Michael Robinson, a Lilly psychiatrist and associate medical director of Cymbalta.

Was on Zoloft, worked for awhile, then it wasn't working on the pain. Then after that all hell broke loose, I was crying and I was thinking of ending my life.

Got to the doctor and told her, she prescribed Cymbalta, right away, and I haven't looked back. It helps to manage the pain and my mind is more sharp and have no mood changes like Zoloft gave me.

I feel fine most times, but on occassion I get hit hard with the pain, probably because of the diet and weather. Apart from that, I cannot say anything negative about it.

As for the miracle cures, yes, I visited a sight and they promised me for 7K US funds, + hotel and meals and travel that I would be able to return home in 10 weeks, cured. Yeah right, my chiro does the same for alot less.

I know you can't cure it, but you can sure help yourself by getting the right medication.

OH by the way, my doctor really doesn't know anything nor does she believe in Fibro, but I had the neurologist, tell her what to give me.

So the other day I walked into her office, and she said that I was curred of fibro, I looked at her and said, no there are no cures, just medication to help you out. But she stammers, your doctor report says you have been curred, and I said no, that was report from my accident, that said that my back was ok, and by the way that doctor also doesn't believe that fibro exist.

I'm telling you it exist, and I pulled out my book and showed her. She renewed my prescription for my cymbalta, and I'm waiting to see the neuro, hoping this neuro will treat people with fibro.

I was denied once again and will now have to get a lawyer to help me out.

On top of that, my right breast is leaking blood, the outcome I will know in a few weeks, if it is cancerous, I'm telling the surgeon, take them both off and keep some skin, as I will have recontructive surgery.

I will live and I will teach these doctor a few things about fibro and other things.

hi all. my wife had diagnozed fibromyalgia for 14 years two months ago i saw a site which was not for fibro but thought it was worth a go as everything else had failed. we made colloidal silver gold and titanium and within two weeks she noticed a different in her pain levels.after 4 weeks we combined the colloids with ozone and what a difference now two months down the track she bounces out of bed lives an active life and has vertually no fibro pains. hope this might be of value to someone.